writing + editing + music + life

About LC

One thing you should know about me: I don’t like talking about myself. I’d rather let my work speak for itself. But I guess all professional endeavors require some shameless self-promotion, so here goes.

I’ve been writing professionally for over 10 years. During that time, I’ve been published in a variety of newspapers, magazines and digital publications, including the Boston Herald, XXL Magazine, Boston Globe Magazine, Boston Phoenix, Metro newspapers (Boston, NY, Philly and Toronto), Madame Noire, Rap Rehab and MSNBC’s theGrio. I’ve written about virtually every subject known to man, but my love of music led me to begin specializing in that area. By 2009 I was heavy into music journalism — constantly listening to new music, attending shows and interviewing established and up-and-coming artists.

My writing has been picked up or quoted by outlets including HipHopDX, MTV.com, PopMatters, the Associated Press and USAToday.com, and my essays have been published in the anthologies America Now: Short Readings from Recent Periodicals and The Writer’s Presence: A Pool of Readings. In 2012, I won a first place award in Science and Technology reporting from NENPA (the New England Newspaper and Press Association) for a series on teens and social media.

As a music junkie and journalist, I’ve been called on to provide commentary on radio and TV shows including WHDH-TV’s Urban Update, WNYC’s Soundcheck, JAM’N 94.5’s Ramiro & Pebbles Morning Show and the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show. I’ve also spoken to college classes at Bridgewater State University, Boston University and Dillard University about music.

In 2012, I began shifting gears to editing. Now, in addition to writing, I have added layout and design, copy editing, proofreading, managing social media and website content, and managing entire editorial processes to my repertoire.

I currently work as a copy editor in addition to freelancing for the Boston Herald, Rap Rehab and individual clients who need writing and editing services.

Despite the fact that I refused to use the word “blog” until roughly 2008, I maintained the blog Inklounge from 2002 to 2005. Though the blog seldom claimed more than six readers, it gave me an excuse to write long-winded rants about nothing, everything, peeing in alleyways and the relative hotness of various athletes. Though I’ve only blogged intermittently since then, I’m looking forward to getting back onto a regular schedule.

What does Lauren Carter do besides write, edit and complain about typos?

When I’m not working, I’m probably listening to music, reading, doing yoga, hitting the club or driving around aimlessly blasting hip hop.